Adventure - 48 Hours in Alaska - Bow Hunting

Join this bowhunter and his friend for an unforgettable experience in the wilds of the Alaskan backcountry.

Planning a do-it-yourself bowhunt to Alaska is an adventure in itself. This was my sixth such trip to the great state. My buddy Jason and I went together and I thought we were prepared for anything that would be thrown at us. We had been planning this trip for over a year. We decided to use the transporter, 40 Mile Air, out of Tok, to do a drop-camp for caribou. We would be hunting the 40 Mile caribou herd, which is known for producing some nice record-book caribou every season. The 40 Mile herd is one of Alaska’s smaller caribou herds with an estimated 40,000 animals. I guess 40,000 animals is small when compared to the Alaskan Western Artic herd, which is reportedly over 400,000 animals strong.

The logistics of getting to Tok went off without a hitch, and it wasn’t long before I was climbing into the back seat of the Piper Super Cub aircraft. This was my first ride in a Cub, and to say I was excited would be an understatement. Jason had his own plane to ride in. Our pilots, Leif and Randy, gave us an incredible one-hour flight to the leading edge of the 40 mile herd. Surprisingly, we only spotted a few bears, moose and a lone wolf during the flight. No caribou. It wasn’t until we cleared the last ridge that we spotted the first few caribou. Then we spotted a wave of caribou in the valley that we were going to land in. We literally had caribou on our short Cub landing strip, which was nothing more than a 100-yard flat spot of gravel, clear of brush and boulders.

Caribou Everywhere
That day, Jason and I set up a modest but comfortable camp. Because of weight limitations on the Cub flight, we had lightweight backpacking gear and freeze-dried food. We had enough supplies for our planned eight days in the bush. Alaska law prohibits hunting the same day you fly so we had to sit in camp and watch beautiful caribou bulls migrating through the valley. What a wonderful sight we had waited a long time to see.
The next morning we woke up to a dense fog and heavy drizzle. This was far from prime hunting conditions. Excitement was in the air, though, as we had prepared and traveled a long ways to get to this moment in time. I decided to make a hot cup of coffee, soak in the beautiful surroundings and give my wife, Jennifer, a call on the sat phone. I wanted to tell her we had arrived to camp safely.


5 Tips for Planning Your Trip

#1: Planning: I consider planning a bowhunting trip to Alaska as part of the adventure. First off you need to know what your goal is and what kind of adventure you are looking for. There are many things to consider. To hunt some species you are required to have a guide. Most of the other species are affordable for the middle-class DIY hunter. You also need to decide what type of hunt is available for that particular species you want to hunt and if it’s possible to hunt multiple species. Resources I use for planning my hunts are the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the internet, and the most reliable is a personal friend or acquaintance who had done the hunt before.

#2: Equipment: My suggestion is to buy the best equipment you can afford. Some standard equipment used in the lower 48 states might have to be considered survival equipment in Alaska, ie - tent, sleeping bag, rain gear... Buying cheap gear at Wally World isn’t going to cut it in Alaska. One other thing to consider is weight. Most likely your trip will involve some type of flying. Whether it is a commercial or bush flight, there will be weight limitations. Know what these limits are and pack accordingly. Some equipment is better off rented when you arrive in Alaska. There are many rental services available. Check ahead and secure the rental equipment before you go.

#3: Packing: The logistics involved in getting to your hunting destination may involve several different modes of travel: Commercial airline, vehicle, boat, bush plane, raft… You have to be prepared and knowledgeable for every leg of your trip. I’ve found that packing gear in to small organized soft duffle bags work best. It’s much easier to get these smaller bags in to the cargo compartment of a small plane and your pilot will appreciate it. You can then put the smaller bags in to a larger duffle for the commercial flight and leave that bag with the transporter while you are in the field. If possible, these duffle bags should be waterproof. There’s a good chance you will encounter wet weather on your hunt, lots of it. Another good container is an ice chest or large plastic tub. These containers can be left with the transporter and will be helpful with getting all that precious meat home. The standard airline approved hard case for your bow will help get it there intact.

#4: Safety Gear: Like I mentioned earlier, some gear you bring may be used to save your life. Bring a good quality synthetic sleeping bag and four season tent. It’s almost a guarantee that you will encounter inclement weather which  you will not be able to hunt in. I’ve spent many huntless days stuck in a tent because of the weather. I consider rain gear as safety gear. If you get wet, hypothermia is a real possibility. Most outdoorsmen in Alaska prefer durable PVC rain gear like Helly Hanson Impertech. Bring a satellite phone. You can use it to communicate with the transporter as well as get help in the case of an emergency. There are satellite phone rental companies located in Alaska and the lower 48.

#5: Meat Transportation: Getting your meat and trophy home should be included in your trip planning. I’ve explored different methods to accomplish this and found out that it can be costly if you are not prepared. If you are flying you must know the rules for each leg of your trip. The rules vary between airlines and transporters. Generally, the meat bags need to be manageable and under fifty pounds. The containers should be approved,  good quality and leak proof. Antlers are not allowed on some airlines. Meat and antlers can be shipped through some commercial cargo companies as they ship perishables to and from Alaska. Know the transportation rules before you go and be prepared. There is nothing better than barbequed caribou steaks after a successful DIY hunt in Alaska.

By Ed Fanchin

Posted by Bow and Arrow Hunting Magazine

Mule Deer Diary - Bow Hunting

Pursuing the wide-open plains bucks of eastern Wyoming.

Story and photos by Chuck Frick

Mule deer hunting conjures up images of towing mountains, pine forests, rocky outcrops, green valleys and mountain streams. You pack in by foot or on horseback, set up base camp and then, climbing thousands of feet, go out in search of the elusive mulie buck to glass and stalk.

But, in my mind, none of that was going to happen. I am in what I think is pretty good shape for my age. I work out on a regular basis and walk frequently, but I can’t handle that kind of hunt. I wanted to have the opportunity to hunt mule deer, but the venue was going to have to be different.

In August 2010, I was hunting antelope with Table Mountain Outfitter owner Scott Denny in Wyoming. We were seeing lots of mule deer going to and coming from the blind. The terrain was something I could handle and the elevation would not be a problem. I asked Scott, who operates the business with his wife, Angie, about their archery mule deer hunts. What Scott told me made a favorable impression, and I booked a mule deer hunt to begin Sept. 1, 2011.

Day One

Scott Heit was my guide, and we left camp before daylight. Scott had to drop off one hunter at a blind to hunt antelope, and then we drove to an area near an alfalfa field. Because we were running late, the deer were already leaving the field by the time we got to a suitable spot to glass. Scott and I started walking and glassing for deer. We saw several bucks and a couple of nice ones, but they were on their way to a bedding area, and we were never able to try a stalk. I walked a lot that morning.

That afternoon Scott dropped me off at a remote blind that had been frequented by deer the year before. The water hole had dried up and the only water was in a little catch basin. I did not see an animal except for some cattle about a mile away at another water hole.

Day Two

Scott left me where we were the previous morning while he took the other hunter to his blind. As I came over a rise, I saw a buck below. I sat down until he disappeared in a gully. I then hurried down the hill and just got to the bottom when I saw what I thought was the same buck, and he saw me. He was not startled, so I eased down in the gully and tried to follow. No luck.

Post Shared By : Bow & Arrow Hunting

Full Cry for Bruins

Hunting behind a pack of hounds is more exciting than most know.
By Chuck Adams

It was late morning when we found the track—a kidney-shaped flat spot on a snow-covered bank by the road. My heart leaped to my throat. The print was made by a hind foot … an oval impression wider than my hand. It was the biggest I had seen on the hunt.
Bucky Stone inspected the track, falling on one knee to study every detail.

“Nice bear,” Bucky finally said. “Let’s try him.”

Bow Shooting

He dropped the tailgate on the 4×4 pickup, exposing two dogbox doors with wire-mesh centers. Behind milled a dozen Walker hounds, scrunching their noses against the wire with nervous whines. Bucky slipped an arm behind one door and pulled out Toughie, a raw-boned hound with badly tattered ears. He closed the door and led the dog to the track. Toughie sucked in air and uttered a drawn-out bawl of joy. The other dogs went absolutely nuts. It looked like we might have a bear race after all.

Four days of hunting had made me begin to wonder. Bucky was one of northern California’s most widely respected bear guides, scoring close to l00 percent for hunters every year. As a matter of fact, he operated on a no-kill, no-pay basis—proof of his ability to produce. If a hunter wanted a bear, Bucky could get him one for sure. The only hunters who did not score were too soft to walk to the bear once hounds put it up a tree.

The past few days had not been dull. I had seen a bear every day but one. My problem was a desire to shoot a really big bruin with a bow. It was November l98l, and I had taken average bears with archery tackle in the past. Now, I wanted a magnum hide with thick, late-fall fur. I knew that California produced some of the biggest bears on the continent. All I had to do was find one.

What to Look For

Track size is not always an indicator of trophy size, but it usually tells the tale. A few small bears have big feet—just as a few small people wear size l2 shoes. But a bear with big feet normally has a big frame and a big skull to match. As Bucky opened both hound boxes and a stream of dog flesh poured over the tailgate, I crossed my fingers and hoped the bear at the end of the tracks had plenty of distance between its ears.

On the surface of things, hound hunting seems simple. Hunters drive roads until a bear track is found along a cutbank or road shoulder. A sharp-eyed hound man can spot a track in the snow at 30 miles per hour. For insurance, a “strike dog” is put on the back of the pickup to test the wind as the rig moves along. When air currents are right, a seasoned strike dog can smell a bear track up to eight hours old. If scent remains, the hound bawls its head off.

Excerpted from a recent issue of Bow and Arrow.

Post Source: http://bowandarrow.blog.com/2012/12/06/full-cry-for-bruins/

Made to Be Mobile

If you’re tired of bulky, heavy climbing sticks, then Gorilla’s new King Kong climbing sticks should fill the bill. They are not only safe and durable, but they are lighter, thanks to combining durable steel construction with lightweight aluminum steps. The new climbing sticks are extremely portable and built with the mobile hunter in mind. Each stick easily locks to the other, while the aluminum steps conveniently fold out of the way. The saw-tooth step design is built for superior footing and traction even in slick conditions. Each stick is securely and strongly assembled with XT-6TM red nylon bushings and washers. The King Kong climbing sticks fit trees ranging in size from 8 to 22 inches in diameter. Each stick weighs four pounds, measures 32 inches (3 pack), and is rated for 250 pounds.Visit www.gorillatreestands.com.

Posted By: Bow & Arrow Hunting

Bow Hunting Tips - The Mental Side

The power of the mind can be amazing, but if your focus is on things like fear rather than success, you can kiss your hunt goodbye. Here are some tips to help you stay in the game, despite a troubled mind.

Several years ago I found myself sitting at a desk going through my second session of court-ordered anger management. The class was going into its third hour and I was paying less attention this time than I had the first (probably why I was attending a second time). But, somewhere in the middle of that third hour a new instructor came in and started talking about something that caught my attention.

The instructor was covering the “fight or flight” response of a human when faced with a stressful or dangerous situation—basically how one deals with fear. When broken down, the moral to his story was simple. You’re going to have one of two initial reactions: 1. Come out guns blazing and both fists swinging (the fight response). 2. You run like a school girl scared to death (flight).

The instructor’s job was to help each person understand his or her own specific reaction and then harness that reaction to turn it into a positive outcome (instead of a third session of anger management). Now this subject may not seem like it has anything to do with wilderness bowhunting, but when you simplify things, you only have two choices when heading into the backcountry—complete your goal and stay for the entire trip, or talk yourself out of the hunt and head back early.

Each year hundreds of bowhunters head west with the hopes and dreams of tagging a big bull or buck on a multiday wilderness hunt. They’ve spent thousands of dollars on tags, gear and fuel, trained in the gym, lost weight and got as prepared as they could for the great adventure ahead. In reality, it’s always easier to visualize the ideal hunting adventure sitting on the couch. Unfortunately, many underestimate the physical and mental rigors of wilderness hunting and often talk themselves into cutting the hunt short.

Most hunters won’t head down the mountain early because of a specific incident that has made them fearful; but, the general concept behind the “fight or flight” response will eventually get the best of them.

Bow Hunting - Hot Deer Items

Take a look at these proven performers and must-have items for 2012.

When it comes to bowhunting whitetails, good gear is a must. That’s why each year I try to report on what I think are the very best. Here’s my take on the best deer-hunting items for 2012.

Creating the Right Setup
Before one can harvest deer, you have to have them on the property, and it does not hurt to keep them there. Having worked as a consultant for some of the top outfitters, as well as managing ground, I have experimented with many different commercial seed blends. In the end, I always keep coming back to Antler King products (www.anterking.com).

This past year I was given the management responsibilities for a 1,550-acre property. The first thing I realized was that the land was woefully lacking in food sources and very overpopulated with deer.

Matters were made worse by experiencing a wet planting season, only to be followed by a bad drought. In the end, the only plantings to make it were Antler King’s Trophy Clover and Fall/Winter/Spring Food Plot Blend.

Of course, the food plots also serve as great locations to setup scouting cameras. Over the years, I’ve tried every camera on the market. My goals were seemingly simple: find a unit that doesn’t spook deer, captures deer on a consistent basis and doesn’t break down. Good battery life would also be a bonus but not as critical as capturing my targets without altering their patterns. I’ve been burnt by that too many times and refused to do that again.

Luckily, I finally found my answer on that same 1,550-acre chunk of ground. The owners set me up with 26 assorted Reconyx cameras. Though I’d used Reconyx units before, this was the first time I’d tried the HC600. In just a couple weeks, I was so sold to the point that I bought four myself. From mid-August through mid-January, I ran 30 Reconyx units, 10 of which were the HC600s. Not a single unit broke down and each consistently caught deer that entire time (www.reconyx.com).

One of the biggest problems with the vast majority of scouting cameras is the noise they produce. Out of over 400,000 pictures, not once did a deer appear to spook from camera noise. Additionally, not a single deer showed any indication that they noticed the HC600s in any way, and I routinely placed them in very close quarters.

I know the price of the HC600s is a bit overwhelming, but I’ve felt the sting of my cameras spooking the buck I was after too many times. I’d rather run one or 2 HC600s than 5 of any other I’ve ever used.